…yes, finally, a proper post about my knitting. which started as a post “on knitting” but whoa, that’s way big, isn’t it. and then “the knitting” and uh oh, it’s getting even bigger. then I tried “on the knitting” and of course that was no better. so finally, because this really is a post about “my” knitting, there we have it.
I used to blog pretty regularly About My Knitting and I mean to get back to that. because it’s a big part of my life. and I think probably tells as good a story about me as the myriad photos and journaling cards I put into my Project Life album each week.
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| Annie Scarf (raveled here) – first FO for me of 2013 |
It’s been …months… since I last devoted a post to knitting (I’m not even bothering to find out how long, but the fact that I can’t remember says it’s a good while). during that time the output has been a bit slight and the FOs a bit fewer. bottom line – I’ve made a half dozen plus projects for charity and gifts, but until last week’s Annie Scarf, I hadn’t finished anything for myself since last August. and there are now days…I don’t knit. former thought not so scary – I’ve made plenty of sweaters and scarves and cowls and socks and hats (to the point where I need a second closet to store it all) but latter thought. whoa. and this was just two days ago. yep, Monday, January 14, 2013, I didn’t knit. (the stitches I worked in class that night for my students don’t count!)
I do remember a post from last fall – early packing days – where I wondered if the three projects I’d kept from the boxes (two sweaters and something else I can’t recall) would be enough to keep me busy through the unpacking. y’all were nice not to scoff then. the two sweaters have both been frogged and like I said, I can’t recall the 3rd project. I did finish my 12 hats for charity. and managed to knit Sara’s birthday cowl and mitts and the Christmas gifts, just barely.
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| Abigail, how she looked before and after we moved…and just before I frogged her! |
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| …and after (this is going to become Thorn…yep, I ripped the whole thing today!) |
All of which has made me wonder…is this ME?
and I’ve finally concluded “yes, but you’ve changed (a little):”
- I do still love knitting. the process. the product. ravelry. yarn. patterns. queues. favorites.
- I do still love teaching…maybe more since I’m spending less time at the shop and my students/classes are now my focus when I’m there.
- but I no longer feel a need to knit all the things or buy all the yarn. (right now anyway.)
- I’m taking it slower,
- and I think, enjoying it more.
I was also thinking I’d lost my sweater mojo – (sweaters have been my thing these past few years but I hadn’t finished one since last summer and I can’t remember the last one I made that had sleeves!) – until yesterday. when I spent the entire afternoon knitting this. (while I rewatched the Golden Globes and checked in on twitter). thank you November Knits and Tanis Gray. I’m feeling a little bit more like (the old) me (and that is very comfortable, thank you!).
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| Market Jacket, raveled here. |
mere-et-filles 
I get it. I still knit every day but sometimes I don't feel as . . . compelled . . . to knit as I used to. Part of it for me is the change in lifestyle. I love that Market Jacket pattern, thanks for the link.
Wow—Annie's scarf looks like what I was calling Jennifer's scarf. I'm on my second one. Mohair for the first and last parts (plus the fringe) and whatever you choose (Rowan Felted Tweed dk for my first one) for the middle. Double moss stitch, sort of for the center part. I wonder if it is the same one, and if so, now I have the official name for it!
Annie's Scarf suggests Kathmandu Aran and I sub'd the portland tweed…I think my sub is the best!!
That's a great scarf and the MJ looks splendid already…dress form does come in handy. Methinks that your diff approach to knitting is in large part occasioned by a few changes in your life over the fall/early winter as you establish a different "normal." Look fwd to seeing the finished MJ.Cheers~
glad to finally have something to put on the dress form! and glad I finally got a blog post written about knitting. it's been too long!
i like this honest evaluation of "your" knitting. i often wonder if my knitting philosophy is different than newer knitters since i've been knitting for so long, and have seen so many changes and imporvements (my skill and what's out there). frogging something that doesn't work doesn't even phase me anymore, or even giving yarn away. so much to ponder 🙂
That dress form is lovely Mary! I as well have started to gain the "frog" mentality too. There are a few sweaters sitting around in tubs that certainly need to go. You've given me the "push" to go back into that closet and find them!
I have been knitting for years! My interests in knitting have changed throughout the years and if a project isn't right, I have no problem ripping it out and using the yarn for something I will love. Recently, I have been interested in knitting smaller projects such as scarves, hand warmers and afghan squares. I really like your dress form!
thanks! the dress form came from Pier One. she stands in the corner of my office…begging for something to wear!
My knitting . . . is a process, too. Sometimes I'm really into it; sometimes not so much. I am, generally, calmed by the stitches on the needle, but I don't feel so driven any more. I have "enough" of the "products" I create. I haven't had "enough", though, of the "process." Life. It just keeps moving on, y'know?